Grafham Water ‘educational pond’ - opened Friday 23rd May 2008 by Dafila Scott

On the 26th September 1968, almost 40 years ago, Peter Scott opened the Grafham Water Nature Reserve. Described in the Hunts Post as an “Important day for naturalists” the opening ceremony involved unlocking a new hide (Dudney Hide).

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough has since developed the nature reserve, providing facilities for schoolchildren. Local staff suggested a new pond would enhance this work. The Huntingdon Area Group agreed to help raise funds for the pond, which could accommodate a full class of children.

The pond, September 2007

The group raised over £6,000, with major funding from Anglian Water, Cartridge World, Greenwillows Associates, Huntingdon Cromwell Rotary Club and many other organisations and individuals. Despite delays caused by adverse weather conditions, excavation took place in autumn 2007.

The pond, May 2008

Cutting the ribbon, May 2008

How appropriate then, that Dafila Scott (centre) Sir Peter Scott’s daughter opened the new pond 40 years after her father opened the nature reserve. Present on the day was Mary Smout a local inhabitant of Perry who attended the original opening. Present with Dafila Scott as she cut the ribbon from left to right are: Matt Hamilton (Trust reserve warden); George Cottam (Local Group Chair); Debbie McKenzie and Christina Biggs (Grafham/Buckden Education Centre) and Erin Vos (Head of education and community). The funding organisations and the contractors who carried out the work also attended the opening, as did Andrew Kennedy (the Trust Senior education programmes manager). The local Grafham Water volunteers led by Matt Hamilton did much of the subsequent work around the pond including laying the footpath. They also built a new hide, opened later by Dafila. After the speeches, tea and cakes a trip to the local pub, the Wheatsheaf, followed.

Thanks to Dafila, all who helped and to those attending.